[ His face falls too, well aware it's a difficult position to put her in. Thoma doesn't want the skirmishes around them to persist, but he also can't control the actions and reactions of his companions. Some of them are all too happy to lash out and slay the Kenomas in their way in spite of Thoma's insistence that they're no different from them... people lost, scared, away from their world, looking for a path forward. ]

What if the imprisoned are executed? Are your companions worth more than them? I know they may be strangers to you, but they're good people, too. Some of them aren't even fighters at all –just ordinary people. Most of us Aions can take blows, but the rebels of this world can't.

[ Thoma would feel terrible if he got to live while they perished; has already seen just as much transpire with those he couldn't save in time. Even if he has to put himself back in harm's way, he has to do something to help them. ]

I already survived capture and imprisonment, so you don't have to worry too much about me. I'm pretty sturdy, but everyone else is a more vulnerable position.